TECHNICAL WORKING GROUP ON FAST REACTORS (TWG-FR)
The technical working Group on Fast Reactors (TWG-FR) is the oldest standing working group within the framework of the IAEA. It was established in 1967, and provides a forum for exchange of non-commercial scientific and technical information, and a forum for international co-operation on generic research and development programmes on advances in fast reactors (FR) and fast spectrum accelerator driven systems (ADS). The TWG-FR advises the Deputy Director General-Nuclear Energy on status of and recent results achieved in the national technology development programmes relevant to the TWG-FR's scope, and recommends activities to the Agency which are beneficial for these national programmes. It will furthermore assist in the implementation of corresponding Agency activities, and ensure that through continuous consultations with officially nominated representatives of Member States all the project's technical activities performed within the framework of the Nuclear Power Technology Development sub-programme are in line with expressed needs from Member States. The scope of the TWG-FR is broad, covering all technical aspects of FR and ADS research and development, design, deployment, operation, and decommissioning. It includes, in particular:
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design and technologies for current and advanced FRs and ADS;
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economics, performance and safety of FRs and ADS;
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associated advanced fuel cycles and fuel options for the utilization and transmutation of actinides and long-lived fission products, including the utilization of thorium.
Given the TWG-FR's broad scope, the coverage will generally be in an integrative sense to ensure that all key technology areas are covered. Many specific technologies are addressed in detail by other projects within the IAEA and in other international organizations. The TWG-FR keeps abreast of such work, avoiding unproductive overlap, and engages in co-operative activities with other projects where appropriate. The TWG-FR thus coordinates its activities in interfacing areas with other Agency projects, especially those of the Technical Working Group on Nuclear Fuel Cycle Options, and the Department of Nuclear Safety, as well as with related activities of other international organizations.
The following countries and international organizations are members of the TWG-FR: Belarus, Brazil, China, France, Germany, India, Italy, Japan, Kazakhstan, Republic of Korea, Russian Federation, Switzerland, United Kingdom, United States of America, the European Commission, and OECD/NEA.
The most recent meeting of the TWG-FR took place in Vienna, 10 - 14 May 2004; the next meeting, hosted by Instituto de Pesquisas Energéticas e Nucleares (IPEN), will take place in São Paulo, Brazil, 23 - 27 May 2005.
